PRISTINA -- Kosovo's parliament has voted in Hashim Thaci, the current foreign minister and former guerrilla leader, as the new president.
Thaci secured 71 out of 81 votes on February 26. Opposition lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament had boycotted the vote.
Thaci’s election came amid clashes between opposition supporters and police outside Kosovo's parliament in the capital, Pristina.
Police used teargas and water cannons on February 26 to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters camping in tents on the main square demanding the government's resignation and fresh elections.
Thaci led the fighters of Kosovo's successful separatist war against Serbia in 1998-99. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, although that is rejected by Serbia.
According to Kosovo’s constitution, parliament had to elect a new president by March 6 or announce snap elections.
The mandate of the current president, Atifete Jahjaga, was due to expire on April 7.